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כְּתֹנֶת

𐤊𐤕𐤍𐤕

kᵉthôneth

H3801 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Long tunic or basic garment worn next to the skin, typically extending to the knees or ankles, often with sleeves. In the Israelite context, it was the standard undergarment for both men and women, though variations could indicate social status, gender, or ceremonial role. In later contexts, specialized tunics also served priestly or royal functions (e.g., 'coat of many colors' or priestly vestments).

Semantic Range

long shirt-like garment, tunic worn as undergarment, priestly garment, special or ornate tunic indicating status or role, basic clothing

Root / Etymology

Root uncertain. Although sometimes connected with the root כָּתַף ('to cover,' 'shoulder'), this is not linguistically certain. The word כְּתֹנֶת may be a borrowing from a Semitic cognate (e.g., Akkadian 'kitûnu', Ugaritic 'ktnt'), referring to a tunic or shirt-like garment.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The כְּתֹנֶת was a common, everyday item of clothing for both men and women in ancient Israelite society, and similar garments appear throughout the broader ancient Near East. In narratives, special forms of כְּתֹנֶת could be signals of status or favor, such as Joseph's ornate כְּתֹנֶת (Genesis 37) or the linen כְּתֹנֶת worn by priests (Exodus, Leviticus). English translations often use 'coat,' 'robe,' or 'tunic,' but these can be misleading; the כְּתֹנֶת is more accurately thought of as a basic inner garment, though its significance extended beyond that in certain contexts. In Second Temple and later periods, similar garments served liturgical or communal roles, but the term כְּתֹנֶת itself maintains its association with the simple tunic. Greek versions (LXX) generally render it as χιτών (chitōn), and later English translations variably use 'tunic,' 'coat,' or 'robe,' sometimes introducing anachronistic connotations. The כְּתֹנֶת is distinct from outer mantles (e.g., אַדֶּרֶת) or sashes (אַבְנֵט) and should not be confused with garments signifying only outerwear or formal dress.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or כֻּתֹּנֶת; from an unused root meaning to cover (compare כָּתֵף); a shirt; coat, garment, robe.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

כתן (k-t-n) — to cover, clothe

Root כּתן to cover, clothe

Word Forms

14 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H3801-06 כְּתֹ֥נֶת ketonet HNcfsc tunic tunic-of tunic of 7
H3801-04 הַ/כֻּתֹּ֖נֶת hakutonet HTd/Ncfsa the tunic the long tunic the long tunic 3
H3801-12 כֻּתֳּנֹֽת kutonot HNcfpa tunics long tunics long tunics 3
H3801-11 כֻּתָּנְתּ֔/וֹ kutaneto HNcfsc/Sp3ms his coat his tunic-garment his tunic 2
H3801-13 וּ/כְתֹ֥נֶת ukhetonet HC/Ncfsc and a tunic and tunic of and tunic 2
H3801-14 וְ/כָתְנֹ֥ת vekhatenot HC/Ncfpc and tunics and tunics of and tunics 2
H3801-03 הַ/כְּתֹ֧נֶת haketonet HTi/Ncfsc the tunic the tunic of the tunic 2
H3801-05 כָּתְנ֥וֹת katenot HNcfpc garments tunics of tunics of 2
H3801-01 בְּ/כֻתֳּנֹתָ֔/ם bekhutonotam HR/Ncfpc/Sp3mp in their tunics in their tunics in their tunics 1
H3801-09 כֻּתָּנְתֶּ֗/ךָ kutanetekha HNcfsc/Sp2ms your tunic your tunic your tunic 1

Occurrences in Scripture

29 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H3801-05 Genesis 3:21 כָּתְנ֥וֹת katenot HNcfpc garments tunics of tunics of
H3801-06 Genesis 37:3 כְּתֹ֥נֶת ketonet HNcfsc a tunic tunic-of tunic
H3801-11 Genesis 37:23 כֻּתָּנְתּ֔/וֹ kutaneto HNcfsc/Sp3ms his tunic his tunic-garment his tunic
H3801-06 Genesis 37:23 כְּתֹ֥נֶת ketonet HNcfsc the tunic tunic-of the tunic
H3801-06 Genesis 37:31 כְּתֹ֣נֶת ketonet HNcfsc tunic tunic-of tunic of
H3801-04 Genesis 37:31 הַ/כֻּתֹּ֖נֶת hakutonet HTd/Ncfsa the tunic the long tunic the long tunic
H3801-06 Genesis 37:32 כְּתֹ֣נֶת ketonet HNcfsc tunic tunic-of tunic of
H3801-03 Genesis 37:32 הַ/כְּתֹ֧נֶת haketonet HTi/Ncfsc the tunic the tunic of the tunic of
H3801-06 Genesis 37:33 כְּתֹ֣נֶת ketonet HNcfsc tunic tunic-of tunic of
H3801-13 Exodus 28:4 וּ/כְתֹ֥נֶת ukhetonet HC/Ncfsc and a tunic and tunic of and tunic of
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